Charlestown in Boston in Suffolk County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

The Yard as Home

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 13, 2012

1. The Yard as Home Marker

Inscription. Thousands of civilians spent their work days in the yard, then returned home to their Boston neighborhoods. For a few naval personnel, however; the yard was both a work-place and a home. For those who lived here, whether in the luxurious Commandant's House on the hill, the elegant officers' quarters to your left, or the spartan Marine Barracks on the hill to your right, the navy yard became their "community."

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 42° 22.448′ N, 71° 3.353′ W. Marker is in Boston, Massachusetts, in Suffolk County. It is in Charlestown. It is on 1st Avenue. The Yard as Home and Working in the Yard Markers are side by side in front of large anchors. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 19 1st Ave, Charlestown MA 02129, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Massachusetts’ Historic Boston. It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

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Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Working in the Yard (here, next to this marker); Flags at Sea (within shouting distance of this marker); The Changing Yard (within shouting distance of this marker); "Old Ironsides" in Dry Dock 1 (within shouting distance of this marker); Serving the Fleet (within shouting distance of this marker); Dry Dock 1 (within shouting distance of this marker); Boston Naval Shipyard (within shouting distance of this marker); Life and Work in the Navy Yard 1812 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boston.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 13, 2012

2. The Yard as Home Marker

The markers "The Yard as Home" and Working in the yard" can be seen in the background of Boston, The Navy Yard, and the War of 1812, marker.

Officers' Row 1882 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 13, 2012

3. Officers' Row 1882

In 1833, the Navy built a row of five housed for master tradesmen. These warrant officers, such as the master sailmaker and the master carpenter; managed the principal shops of the yard for the commandant. Today these houses are private residences for National Park Service and Navy families.

The porch of the Commandant's House in the 1960s, facing the yard. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 13, 2012

4. The porch of the Commandant's House in the 1960s, facing the yard.

Marine Barracks in the 1860s image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 13, 2012

5. Marine Barracks in the 1860s

Built in 1805, the house on the hill was a home for the commandant of the yard and his family. For 170 years, the 14-room mansion was also the scene of local, national, and international receptions. Today the house continues to host receptions and special events.

Commandant's House 1852 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 13, 2012

6. Commandant's House 1852

Sleeping quarters in the Marine Barracks in 1850. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 13, 2012

7. Sleeping quarters in the Marine Barracks in 1850.

The Marine Corps enforced law and provided security for the yard. Over the years the detachment varied from 15 marines to its World War II strength of 600 marines.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2012, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 491 times since then and 17 times this year. Last updated on February 2, 2020, by Bruce Guthrie of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 7, 2012, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.